Mod Announcement - For Honour and Glory

[Belisarivs]

This mod will bring Medieval era to the 0AD engine (come on, haven't you ever wanted to have some idea implemented to the game like AoK?).

I hesitated if it isn't too soon, but I think, that it won't hurt to have some skills and models available when game is released.

Especially when I just started learning modelling in Blender. First result isn't that terrible, though.

So, to be more exact, which nations will be in:

To be honest, I don't know. I plan to implement Bohemians and Byzantines for now.

Why? My favourite nations, I have some knowledge about them and now, when I am only member of team I can't do more.

I know, that many units (especially in western Europe) were quite common, but I'd like to create every faction unique and as accurate and real as game and playability allows.

I need modelers, texturers, (these two will be especially welcomed, because this kind of work will be mostly needed), historians and others.

Personally, I'd like to have as many nations as possible, but I can't do it alone. Therefore I need your help. Join me.

How can you help?

As usuall.

Contact me (either here or via e-mail or jabber - the best idea), gather informations about factions, pictures of units and ships, create models, textures ....

If you aren't skilled modeller/texturer, learn it as I do and become valued member of team.

I could also use help of someone skilled in modelling and especially in texturing because I'm still in learning stage.

I'd also appreciate help from WFG members.

I know practially nothing about game I plan to mod.

In fact, it doesn't matter as I can learn to edit configs quite quickly (and it seems that it won't be needed as appropriate tools are promised), but I seriously need some model samples.

I don't plan to steal them and declare them as my work because I can create my own, but I simply need to know level of detail, size and so to be able to create models to fit to the game without further amending.

Of course, I plan to make all models I create available to others for free without any restrictions.

But I'm not willing to spend load of money on 3DS MAX and therefore these will be avilable in Blender format (I know, that Blender can export to that format, but I am not sure about its accuracy).

Please share your knowledge and skills as long way awaits us, but at the end, we all could be proud of our work.

And remember: Even the longest way starts with first step.

I hope, you won't let me do it alone as I am not able to do it without your help.

Edited August 18, 2006 by Belisarivs

[Tathar]

I'll help you man I'm learing modeling. and i can texture and stuff i can also work with most types of game files.

[Belisarivs]

Great.

Which program do you use for modelling (and which file extension it produces)?

I run Linux and thus my option was Blender. Cool program, and for free. I'm asking because I'd like to know if I'll be able to import your work (to have a look, to learn something ...) to Blender.

It can handle 3ds files quite well.

Would you mind getting an jabber account and contact me via it?

I'm not sure, but usage of ICQ in Linux is somewhat illegal (there is no official client for Linux and those unofficial aren't legal AFAIK) and I think, that it is about the same with messenger.

How much skilled in texturing you are? I lack any knowledge and some help from skilled texturer won't hurt.

BTW, I'm from central Europe (GMT+1) so count with time shift.

Thanks for any help. I hope that we won't be the only creators.

PS: If you wish, I can send you model of horse I created.

Edited August 12, 2006 by Belisarivs

[Tathar]

Ok i'll get a jabber acount but where do i do that?

Im realy good at texturing.

I use Wings 3D, Blender, and Gmax.

first though tell me where to get a jabber acount.

[Belisarivs]

http://www.jabber.org/

http://www.jabber.org/user/userfaq.shtml

http://www.jabber.org/user/userguide/

Which client do you use? Miranda? I can send you libs for SSL support in jabber for Miranda IM.

It wasn't simple to find them.

Is it hard to get to the texturing in Blender? could you suggest some webpages about texturing (there is no need sor some real good and special effects, basic texturing to be able to create 3d units for 0AD is enough for now).

Thanks for help.

[Tathar]

I use Yahoo and Msn. I dont realy know about blender textureing. I made a castle and a Townhall

[Belisarivs]

I use Yahoo and Msn. I dont realy know about blender textureing. I made a castle and a Townhall

I meant IM client.

Hm, I don't know which programs shall be suppoted.

It seems, that Blender and 3D Studio will be in.

[Tathar]

I use Yahoo Messenger and Windows Live Msn Messenger plus

[Belisarivs]

Hm. Wouldn't it be easier to use one IM client for, all three (including jabber)?

Nevermind. Use whatever you wish.

It was just offer.

Read trough those links I sent and choose what will fit you best.

However, I consider Miranda IM to be good option.

[Belisarivs]

To advance:

Ideas of the units

Byzantines

Heavy cavalry:

Tagmatic Cavalry

Klibanophoroi (whole in armour, mostly lamellar)

Latinikoni (I don't know, could be lighter, but could be whole armoured)

Horse Archers:

Kataphraktoi (armoured horse archer)

Steppe Horse Archers (Patzinaks, Turkish ... - no armour, or only light)

Light Cavalry:

Trapezitoi

Infantry:

Skutatoi (armoured spearmen)

Byzantine Infantry (armoured swordsmen)

Varangoi

Paramonai

Foot archers:

Psiloi (normal unarmoured archer)

Armoured Archers (byzantine archers were later quite heavily armoured)

Mercenary Xbowmen

Ships:

Dromon (fast ship)

Fire Galley (name says it all)

Galley (main battle ship)

Siege:

Catapult

Ballista

Perhaps some cool toys using Naptha (like fireship)

Byzantines will be quite unique (as Carthaginians) as they used lot of mercenaries.

Bohemians

Heavy cavalry:

Slechtic (Nobleman)

Rytir (Knight)

Kralovska Garda (Royal Guards)

Horse Archers:

None. Perhaps mercenary, but Bohemians didn't use them. As well az much of other western nations

Light Cavalry:

Lehka jizda (Light Cavalry)

Infantry:

Kopinik (Pikeman)

Paveznik (Pavisier)

Sekernik (Axeman)

Pesak (Footman)

Halapartnik (Halberdier)

Foot archers:

Kusijnik (Xbowman)

Kusijnik s pavezou (Pavise Xbowman)

Lucistnik (Bowman)

Ships:

Bohemians didn't have access to the sea. We will see what would be better. Keep realism and no ships or playability with ships.

Siege:

Catapult

Ballista

Cannon (personally, I don't like that gunpowder stuff much)

[Tathar]

I made us a logo.

[imghttp://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/AgeofKnights/medivaladcopy.png[/img]

[Belisarivs]

Nice logo. Thanks. But could you please change its name to "For Honour and Glory"? That is how's that mod named, actually.

[Abadu]

What about have some asian civs?(japan,china,korea)i also think that an saracen civ HAVE to be in the mod,and will be cool have some central europe nations how romenia and hungary

[Tathar]

[img=http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/AgeofKnights/medivaladcopy1.png]

there

[illyrian]

hey i would be interested in this project. I can help with historical research of the balkans, since i am very knowledgeable with at least the descendants of illyrians.

I'd like to get some skills in modelling as well as texturing, and i have no problem starting from scratch. lol.

[Belisarivs]

What about have some asian civs?(japan,china,korea)i also think that an saracen civ HAVE to be in the mod,and will be cool have some central europe nations how romenia and hungary

I'd love to have them in. But I don't want to take too much work as I don't know how hard it will be to do.

If you wish, you can join the team and do some research, modelling, texturing ...

[img=http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/AgeofKnights/medivaladcopy1.png]

there

Thank you Tathar.

hey i would be interested in this project. I can help with historical research of the balkans, since i am very knowledgeable with at least the descendants of illyrians.

I'd like to get some skills in modelling as well as texturing, and i have no problem starting from scratch. lol.

Welcome to the team. If I could suggest learning modelling in Blender (it's for free). When I'll be at home I'll post you some guides.

Also, you can contact me via e-mail and jabber IM (however, keep in mind that I'm from Central Europe, so count with time shifting as I won't be willing to stay awake to 3-4 hours AM ) as I already have skills you'd like to gain and I can share my knowledge.

Now I can do low poly model, unwrap it to export texture nd when I'll paint some texture I should be able to get it to the model.

That is all what will be perhaps needed to create nice models for mod.

Edited August 18, 2006 by Belisarivs

[illyrian]

i signed up for computer programming at school hopefully that will help

[Belisarivs]

Hm, you won't have to do programming.

3d modelling and texturing with Blender or 3DS will be more useful. Or you can do historical research. Simply coose some medieval civ and find anything useful about it (architecture, military, naval power ...).

[Belisarivs]

My textured model of Klibanophoros.

Pretty lame, but everyone started somehow.

If you think, that tail is weird, it is because I tried to make it look as knotted (it was usual for Byzantines these days).

[Historicity]

Great model man! I've been using Blender3D for about a year now. Though I've been laxed in the 3D modeling area (college and learning anatomy taking up most of the time)... you're doing good for a beginner.

Keep it up.

[cegorach]

All right I have registered.

Please, tell me what exactly is the timeframe of your mod and I will provide you with the reliable Polish roster.

Cheers !

[Belisarivs]

Hm, I thought about timeframe 1070 - 1492. I'm uncertain about it, though. If someone will want to change it, I can reconsider it.

[cegorach]

In that case the roster is quite simple , but I have to divide it into 3 periods which can be treated as early, medium and really advanced units.

Anyway here it is:

The earliest times where the army was still with many old Slavic traits - quite weak cavalry and good light infantry.

Cavalry

Jazda Pancerna ( Mail-clad Horsemen) - Duke's/King's early knights - not so powerful as real knights, but more disciplined,

Infantry

Lucznicy ( Archers) - bowmen were considered very dangerous part of early Polish armies, were armed with dangerous longbows, but it required some time to train such in later periods,

Tarczownicy - ( 'Shielded') - spearmen with spears, light infantry, but with powerful pounch and some decent defence,

Medium period - army was westernised with all the usual stuff like Knights etc,

Cavalry

Rycerze ( Knights) - nothing unique,

Mazowiecka Konnica ( Masovian Cavalry) - medium-light cavalry with mch similarity to Lithuanian and Rus cavalry (cavalry pavise shields), agile and hard-hitting were not equal of the powerful knights, but had enough power to deal with most enemies on their own,

Infantry

Kusznicy ( Crossbowmen) - also as usual,

Wlocznicy ( Spearmen) - as above,

Advanced units - late XVth century Polish army was slowly abandoning old knightly cavalry and similar supporting infantry - the core of the army was the new professional infantry and cavalry. Army was created after suprising defeat from the Teutonic Order's army at Chojnice and started virtually undisturbed 200 years long period of victories over all manner of foes.

Cavalry

Kopijnicy ( Lancers) - heavy Men-at-arms armed with long lances, warhammers and swords and equipped with excellent gothic armour.

Strzelcy ( Shooters) - crossbow (later bow and handgun) armed cavalry supporting Kopijnicy and lighter mobile cavalry with their mobile firepower.

Racowie - light cavalry armed with lances and curved shields - early Hussars who slowly replaced Kopijnicy in later decades.

Infantry

Draby - Hussite style infantry armed primary with crossbows, handguns and bows with over 60% in each ten equipped missile weaponry with at least one pavise armed and one heavily armoured pikeman.

Polish infantry were mainly from Bohemia providing much of the employement for Hussite mercenaries making the wars in later XVth century the last Hussite wars but they were used almost only to provide firepower, in sieges, in garrison duties and sometime to clear difficult terrain in close combat, cavalry was the hammer of the army - infantry remained it anvil.

Ships and artillery

Basically the same as in western europe, but with 2 notes:

- galleys were not used, but other Northern and Baltic Sea ships,

- Poland had one of the most modern artillery train in the late XVth century - useful to besiege numerous Prussian castles of the Teutonic Order and also started using artillery very quickly with several pieces in early XVth century,

That shouldbe good enought.

Regards Cegorach

[Belisarivs]

Cool.

Did Polish use some sort of troops specialised in ambushes and so (like assassins and so, these could be perhaps good addition to the game).

Could you also provide some pictures or links, please?

[Mythos_Ruler]

Just dropping in real quick to say these mod announcements and discussions are pretty cool. I really want our site to become a sort of nexus for this type of thing, especially since our game is aimed at modders and the online community.